This post reveals stylist’s secrets how to style leather shorts for work and play at any age.
- Who said women can’t wear shorts at any age?
- Can you wear shorts at work?
- How to style shorts for Casual Friday
- Try a summer weekend look with shorts, a shirt and sunnies
- Complimentary colors are great for chic outfits
- How to style shorts for date night?
- How to wear shorts in winter?
- Shorts with outerwear
- In a nutshell
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Who said women can’t wear shorts at any age?
Here is my short story about shorts. Why is it that there are so many articles in prominent newsletters and magazines that say “Don’t wear shorts after age of 30, 40, ….” (you add the number here).
Isn’t it true that shorts look awful and frumpy at any age when they are not styled? And isn’t that true for all clothes?
Style your shorts at any age. #agelessstyle Click To TweetLike with other clothing leather clothes have to be styled to look great. You can find a guide how to wear leather over 40 in the post at the link.

Can you wear shorts at work?
Short suits perennially have a moment. When your work dress code allows leather, and you love this version of pants, wear the trend. Suits with thigh-length pants are having a moment right now. Thus, we can even wear a fake leather shorts suit at the office when we style the it in a professional way. See the photo below for an faux leather shorts suit outfit inspiration.

How to style shorts for Casual Friday
The first outfit in this post is cute for the weekend, but would not work on Casual Friday at the office. Adding a blazer and pantyhose, ditching the baseball cap plus swapping the sandals for pumps, however, would give the entire outfit a suit-like vibe, and would make it office appropriate in a creative or casual work environment on Fridays.
The look below shows a Casual Friday winter look. In the cold time of the year, these trousers look best with opaque tights. The look is an example for the fake suit outfit idea.

Try a summer weekend look with shorts, shirt and sunnies
Sure, you can wear leather in spring and summer. It’s not just for winter. Especially, when the hide piece has the cut of a typical summer clothes. The black leather shorts, striped T-shirt and silk scarf are a comfortable, but chic outfit for a late dinner on the deck on the weekend.
Note the white nights allow to enjoy the Sun even late in the evening. This photo was taken after 2100 (9:30 pm).
In Alaska, nobody would tell their kids to come home when it gets dark. In summer, they would not see their kids for about 2 months. #Alaska #funfacts Click To Tweet
In the next weekend outfit inspiration, I am wearing my the shorts with a striped T-shirt and a star denim jacket. I paired the look with black pumps and my Celine tote for a stroll downtown to enjoy the weather on a day off.

Complimentary colors are great for chic outfits
In the next outfit, I paired a gingham blue and white button down shirt, orange bag and cork plateau orange sandals with the knee length pants. The plateau gives some height, while they are super-comfy and look relaxed. These sandals are less risky with shorts than high heels would be. The color combination is pulled from the color wheel. Orange is the complimentary color to blue, i.e. a great match. And, moreover, the Bavarians have a Lion as their mascot and lions are orange, right? Furthermore, white and black are complimentary colors. Thus, perfect for a multi-color outfit without looking like having fallen into a box of crayons.
Complimentary colors always make a great look. #styleadvice Click To Tweet


How to style shorts for date night?
I am a fan of Bond movies. Ever since I watched Goldfinger, I was fascinated about golden clothing. Thus, when I saw these shorts on eBay, I had to buy this beauty. I love their high waist. It makes my legs look miles long.
Statement pieces like this golden pair are easiest to style with a neutral color to ground them. To not go overboard or look like trying too hard, it is best to choose a high cleavage. It keeps people guessing.

How to wear shorts in winter?
It’s probably easier to pull off shorts in winter than summer when you can wear opaque tights underneath. Go with tights and shoes in the color of the trousers for a slim look and elongated leg.

The next winter look shows that you can wear shorts also with layers. Here a button-down shirt is layered under a thin sweater. Of course, when layering opaque tights are a Must to make the look work. Also pay attention to where the hems hit. The sweater is about 4 inch (10 cm) longer than the sweater. The sweater is worn untucked to avoid bulk. Make sure that enough of the pants’ legs remains visible. It’s all about getting the balance right.


Shorts with outerwear
Make sure that your coat is several inches longer than the trousers not only to stay warm in winter. It just looks like you forgot to put on pants or a skirt when you wear short shorts and a jacket that ends at the hem of them. Looking weird is never in style.

The next outerwear inspiration has the plaid with sweater outfit underneath.

You can find five further tips to style your outerwear to avoid winter boredom at this link.
In a nutshell
You can wear leather shorts at any age year round when you style them. Another important point is to only wear high quality leather to not look cheap or trashy. When you want to invest in a pair or are new to napa clothes, you may be interested in reading my guide what to look for when shopping for leather clothes.
The End of this short(s) story.
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Photos: G. Kramm
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